Sunday, 11 August 2013

It's always a worry when a successful and hilarious small
screen comedy transfers to a film version. But when the project involves the likes
of comedy genius Armando Iannucci, and indeed Steve Coogan himself, there is really no need for anxiety. Coogan successfully invokes the full cringe worthy horror of the cheesy Norfolk
radio DJ in this extremely entertaining film.

He is full of the usual quips and nonsense that we have come
to expect and love about Alan Partridge, including some gems about religion.
When a co-host has a laugh at the expense of Islam, Partridge is horrified and
tells him that he must never make jokes about Muslims, 'only Christians - and Jews a little bit.'. Coogan
embraces the full naffness that is Partridge so well - crooning and pouting along
to Roachford in his car, complete with tan leather driving gloves.

When a new company take over the station, and care more
about profits than the old time DJs, then the rebranding situation boils over
into an hilarious siege, with Partridge as the unlikely hero of the hour. He
plays this out for full effect, sensing something of a career renaissance as the
likely outcome. His faithful PA Lynn is there to support and admonish him in
equal measure.

There is good support from Colm Meaney as fellow DJ Pat
Farrell for whom things become all too much. And a hilarious gag about a
chemical toilet. It's a joy to watch and a reminder that sometimes you don't
have to change a winning formula, just
keep on doing it as well as this.

Good comedy is all about perfect timing, sharp direction,
and great writing. Luckily the current production of Russian playwright
Alexandr Ostrovsky's Too Clever By Half at
the Royal Exchange is blessed with all these and more.

Told
By An Idiot interpret the classic 1860's black comedy
with its biting satire on Russian society at that time as a farcical commentary
on 1960's Moscow. It talks a little while to warm up, as many of the jokes
depend on being built upon again and again throughout the piece. But the comical
capers and genius touches (sick cast member? - I will say no more), soon warm
up into an absolute side splitting delight.

Dyfan Dwyfor is superb as social climber Gloumov, a young
man who will stop at nothing to achieve his desired ends. He is certainly an
actor to watch, and his wooing scene in the first act with married older woman Kleopatra
(Hayley Carmichael) is just one of the funniest and entertaining things I have
seen for a long while. She also does unspeakably hilarious things with a big
pair of frilly knickers later on.

In fact the whole cast are brilliant, and under the
skilful direction of Paul Hunter, this revival really comes alive. The choice
of accompanying music is Tarantinoesque in its aptness and precision - the love
scene (with Gloumov in gold lamé jacket of course) is played out to the strains
of Matt Monroe crooning Walk Away.
And the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter
is a recurring theme tune for the hilarious action.

It is certainly worth catching before its current run
ends - and is a salutatory lesson in the perils of recording your opinions of
others too honestly in a diary.

For a confirmed
urbanite like myself, I simply cannot imagine not living in a city,
specifically Manchester of course, with all its energy and culture. But for the
second summer running I have also learnt to appreciate some of the wild places
of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where wildlife is abundant, people
are scarce, and there's not a cinema or theatre in sight. It is absolutely
comfort food for the soul, and a chance to recharge and renew via a connection with
the spectacularly beautiful nature that
surrounds us if we care to look for it.

After the delights
of Knoydart and the Small Isles last year, this time I ventured to Wester Ross on
the west coast. and the Cairngorm mountains, again courtesy of Wilderness Scotland, via an amazingly quick flight to
Inverness. And again the wildlife was all around, just on the drive from
Inverness to our base in Gairloch we saw a red kite; a red deer; a raven; and
an osprey nesting at the top of a pylon. A 22km hike through the Fisherfield Forest was,
luckily for my aching feet, rewarded with views over remote lochs and mountains
which are unforgettable. The contrast between busy city life and the quiet
contemplation which these Highland spots bring about is quite remarkable. The
sight of a golden eagle soaring around one of the peaks to protect its young from
the interlopers was majestic. And for some of the walk along the shores of Loch
Maree we could truly have been in Tolkien Hobbit land it was so quaint.

The coastal position
of Wester Ross afforded glimpses, clouds permitting, of the beautiful isles in the distance including
Skye, reminding me of last year's adventures. And in this part of Scotland it
is only a short drive from the coastline, with its harbour seals and
cormorants, to the magnificent peaks of the Cairngorms. And how could I forget
to mention the welcoming sight of Hillbillies in Strath on the journey. It's my
ideal sort of shop in fact, selling books; huge slices of tasty homemade cakes;
with the strains of Nashville music wafting through its comfy rooms. If I was
to set up a business it would probably look something like this. An ideal
combination.

The feeling
of standing on top of a mountain near Aviemore looking all around and for
endless miles seeing only other mountain tops is quite a spiritual one. Our
nearly 12km walk on the peaks took us via a hill with no name (bit thoughtless
of whoever names these hills I think); up Stob Coire an t-Sneachda (1215m); and
Cairn Lochan. And a distance bothy in a shower of highland rain is a very welcoming
sight.

The influence
of Queen Victoria's famed love of these parts is much in evidence, with some
lovely villas and hotels around from that period. Aviemore itself is a bit busy
for my tastes, coming from a city dweller that's a bit rich I know, but on my
escapism trips I like to see as few people as possible and just enjoy the
natural world and miles and miles of walking. And of course learn to appreciate
the subtle differences between the various types of West Coast and Speyside
whiskies on offer. The wild places in Scotland are really something special,
but just don't tell too many people about them, I'd like to keep them that way.

Friday, 26 July 2013

It's unusual to tell a story from the point of view of
Nazi sympathisers, but in Lore, that
is exactly what director Cate Shortland does. The film, based on a book by
Rachel Seifert, begins as Hitler has just committed suicide, and so ended the hopes
and dreams of world domination by his followers. Specifically, this film
explores the point of view of the children of Nazis, innocents to a degree, but
who have become imbibed with the dogma and prejudice of their parents.

Hannelore, the Lore of the title, is left to cope as
her father and mother have fled to avoid capture by the Allied forces sweeping
through Germany. She struggles against all odds to lead her younger brothers
and sisters to her grandmother's house in Hamburg. Saskia Rosendahl gives a
tremendous performance as the young girl, with so much responsibility put on
her shoulders, including a baby brother whose constant cries for food are heart
wrenching.

She is saved from capture by the benevolent
intervention of a Jewish boy, played by Kai Malina, who pretends they are his
family. It is fascinating viewing to see Lore struggle with her deep seated
contempt and loathing for Jewish people, but her bond with the boy grows in
spite of this.

Lore is a dark and brooding film, with no easy
answers or glib happy endings. It is not exactly an easy watch, but definitely
worth it for the strong performances of the young central characters.

Saturday, 20 July 2013

Zinédine
Zidane has never looked so majestic and
imperious as he did on a giant screen in a packed Albert Hall with Mogwai
playing their eerie soundtrack to this engrossing film live beneath his feet.

It's a
brilliant concept from directors Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno- to follow one footballer on and off the ball for 90 minutes
of a game. And it becomes a totally mesmerising and intense experience. On a
practical football level, it proves once again just what a superb player Zidane
was. Giving everything he has for the whole match. Talisman-like he leads by
example and spurs his Real Madrid galactico team mates, including a youthful
looking David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, to give nothing but their
best.

But more than
this, the experience of watching him in this particularly beautiful Wesleyan
chapel setting, up large and towering above the band, was sensational. He
becomes more than a footballer - something more balletic like Nureyev, crossed
with the amazing athleticism of a thoroughbred racehorse. Some of his own
thoughts on football and life are flashed across the screen during the match.
He gives everything he has - brooding and menacing for the match's entirety, he
smiles only once.

And of course
we all must have had in the back of our minds that infamous sending off in the
World Cup Final match that shocked the football world not long after this
one. Especially as he manages to get himself red carded too towards the
end of this match, although in much more inauspicious circumstances. The
atmospheric swirling music of Mogwai, rising to crescendos, then falling away
to nothing in parts, fits the film perfectly.

This was
undoubtedly another Manchester International Festival triumph, and my last MIF
event for another two years. What a brilliant festival it has been, possibly
the best so far. MIF15 will certainly have some work to if it is to better this
fabulous showcase for our wonderful city, with its hidden gems of venues, and ability
to attract world class performers, and thousands of visitors, to our
international cultural carnival. Thank you MIF for a wonderful fortnight - it's
been a blast.

About Me

I started this blog when I lived in Manchester and worked in London as a way to record my cultural exploits and adventures in both... I am now back in glorious Manchester so like to blog about my cultural adventures here and beyond. I hope you continue to enjoy my musings...or at least let me know loudly and vociferously if you don't. I have also been known to pick up my beloved Martin guitar and try to improve my playing, including a spot of bluegrass jamming - look out world!
You can follow me on Twitter@JuliaCoulton